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n Battle Of Atlantic Report / Essay
i Research Paper
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B Thesis : The Battle of Atlantic was one of the most cruel and longest battles of World
a War 2 for Canada
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t Intro: Canada joined world war 2 in September 1939, when the passenger ship “SS
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e Athenia” was sunk by German Submarines who were waiting for the right moment to
attack from below the shadowy sea. To combat the new cruel ways of war against
o average living transport and passenger ships were now transported in convoys.
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Point 1. World War 2, Canada Joins.
W “Canada was a critically important source of food and industrial resources for
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I Britain” - Dr Roger Sarty, self published book “Battle Of the Atlantic” (1). Which made
I the passage ways of the Atlantic crucial for transportation of ships.

T Proof 1:
o The U-Boats never attacked anywhere close to Canada until the SS Athenia went down
o on its way to Montreal, Quebec. This forced Canada’s government to react with
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aggression towards the German submarines and forge new tactics that would preserve
P their precious cargo.
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a Proof 2:
c U-Boats were all over the Atlantic, and even with the convoys for defense in the first
e month over 500 000 tons worth of ships were destroyed with their cargo / crew. Even
i with the allies constantly doing new sea routes the U-boats found the weak spots and
n attacked without mercy. With the British having most of the military power and Canada
lacking in Naval fighting power, it seemed that the U-Boats were gaining the advantage
t and choking Canada's Passage ways.
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e Proof 3:
A When the Battle of Atlantic was “Officially” a battle to be dealt with, German U-Boats
t had sunk 61.2 million tons worth of ships and cargo. (2)
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t Point 2. New Ways to Combat Canadian ships being sunk during the battle of the
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c Atlantic. Canada had grown aware of the new hostilities from the Germans as countless
ships filled with passengers and cargo were sent to the bottom of the sea, U – Boats
O travel in packs like wolves waiting for Canada to make its move.
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Proof 1: U boats were almost like spies, once they saw a enemy ship or convoy, they'd
send the information on it back to their head quarters, in unison the location of the ship
is sent to other U- Boats close by so that they can attack it with tremendous force. This
forced Canada to devise new tactics and find new routes which would be safer and put
less ships at risk as Canada's naval count were very weak compared to the allies and the
Germans. The General who made this effective and deadly “wolf Pack” Strategy was
General Admiral Karl Donitz

Proof 2: To Counter the U- Boats and their wolf tactics, the Prime minster at the time
Winston Churchill had a naval base built in Iceland which would be home to RN
Warships. These warships were meant to Escort all Allies Merchant and Cargo ships
from Ireland to Canada. The Royal Canadian Navy was given the responsibility of this
task.

Proof 3: The RCN had increased in size and power as the war continued, when Canada
entered the war they had a count of 11 fighting ships. By the end of the war they had 400
fighting ships. Even with the added warships there was still the task of escorting and
protecting Canadian and allied ships.

Point 3: Canada was effected during the end of the battle by advancing in Naval might
and strategies, New technology which benefited in the fight against U-Boats and much
more. The Battle of Atlantic was considered to be won by the Allies due to Canada's
Important role, in 1943. Although the War in Europe ended in May 8th 1945.

Proof 1: Canada's main technology for radar to counter the German U-Boats was called
ASDIC (Allied Submarine Detection Investigation Committee) which was ships guarded
and belonging to the RN that were equipped with the earliest sonar technology. This
technology was key to detecting submerged submarines, but due to the lack of power in
that times technology a surfaced / surfacing sub would show almost invisible to radar
and very hard to detect.

Proof 2: Although it was considered by 1943 that the allies had beaten the German force
and formed tactics to beat the U-Boats, The ending of the Battle of Atlantic led to the
number of 25 421 convoy ships making across the Atlantic safely due to the RCN and
the Allies help in protection and escorting.

Proof 3: With the upgrades in technology Canada benefited in the long run such as new
radar technology much more powerful then at that time when they were so crucial, Our
Strategies devised for countering the U-Boats proved that even with a small fleet can
grow and allowed us to upgrade our military might.
Bibliography:
1. http://www.suite101.com/content/canada-in-battle-of-the-atlantic-a53127
2. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?
PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000379
3. http://www.junobeach.org/e/2/can-eve-mob-atl-e.htm
4. http://wwii.ca/page-54-battle-of-the-atlantic.html